• Superior turf quality: Rugby II scored among the top 14 entries in the most recent National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) Kentucky bluegrass trial, under medium-high maintenance. It ranked in the top 10 in Indiana, Illinois, Washington state, Missouri, Rhode Island, and Alberta, Canada. It placed 4th out of over 100 entries in the cool-arid region of the U.S. and Canada.

• Unmatched close-cut tolerance: Rugby II showed strong quality performance at a cutting height of 1/2". It was the Number 1 entry out of 3,000 experimentals in a recent close cutting trial in Post Falls, Idaho. Moreover, it was immune to several Poa annua control chemicals commonly used for fairway maintenance.

• Transition zone performance: Rugby II scored in the top 20 of varieties in the transition zone sites of the NTEP.

• Shade tolerance: Rugby II has good tolerance to shade or full sun.

• Aggressiveness:Rugby II is moderately aggressive, but it is not as thatch-prone as earlier aggressive bluegrasses.

DEVELOPMENT:Rugby II originated from a plant selection from a 1930’s cemetery in Washington state. The original plant had spread to a diameter of 20 to 30 feet across, growing in a low maintenance cemetery in an arid environment. When found, the spot was dark green, shiny, and dense, in spite of growing between a huge shade tree and a well traveled driveway.